Almost a year after being snubbed by Paolo Banchero, theItaly is working on the naturalization of another American player but, this time, it seems improbable – not to say impossible – to see Drew Eubanks also fail them to represent Team USA.
Just over four months from Olympic Gamesand a little more than three months before the TQO (Olympic qualifying tournament), the inside of the Suns says they want to obtain Italian nationality, with the aim of being selected for Paris 2024.
“ I would like to participate in the Olympic Games » he assures on this subject, in the columns of La Gazzetta dello Sport. “ After doing some research, I discovered that I had Italian roots and my agent contacted the Federation. I don't know who in my family is Italian or what region they're from, but I'm working on completing the paperwork and getting my passport. We will see how this evolves. »
A TQO to win before seeing Paris
Before participating in the Olympic Games, Drew Eubanks will however have to hope that Italy qualifies, she who will have to secure her place during a TQO in Puerto Rico, against Lithuania, Mexico, Ivory Coast , Bahrain and finally Puerto Rico, of course.
Going to San Juan, the capital, would not pose a problem for the 27-year-old player, even in the event of an extended season for the Suns, while Game 7 of the Finals is scheduled for June 23 and the launch of the TQO is scheduled for July 2.
“ I like to play high-stakes matches even during the off-season » explains the man who trains in the summer with Nico Mannion, transalpine leader who passed through the Warriors, but who has until now never set foot on Italian soil. “ The idea of being able to play a different type of basketball during the summer intrigues me and it can only benefit my NBA career. The prospect of being part of a completely new group fascinates me, but we are waiting to see what happens with the administrative procedures and then we will decide. »
The process has been going on for a long time
For now, Drew Eubanks is relying on his mother and his agent to finalize the administrative procedures, which began several months ago. In the event that his game translates perfectly into FIBA basketball, we can also expect to see him again with Italy in other competitions, such as the Eurobasket or the World Cup.
This season, the former Spurs and Blazers interior, undrafted in 2018, averages 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench with Phoenix (63% shooting and 76% shooting). His naturalization would allow Gianmarco Pozzecco to have another “NBAer” in his squad, in addition to Simone Fontecchio (Pistons).
In the event of qualification for the Paris Olympic Games, the Squadra Azzurra would join the United States, Serbia and South Sudan in Pool C.
| Drew Eubanks | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | SAN | 23 | 5 | 57.7 | 0.0 | 84.6 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.8 |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 22 | 12 | 64.2 | 100.0 | 76.9 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 4.9 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 54 | 14 | 56.6 | 100.0 | 72.6 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 5.8 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 71 | 18 | 59.6 | 21.7 | 76.2 | 1.8 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 7.7 |
| 2021-22 * | SAN | 49 | 12 | 52.8 | 12.5 | 74.7 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 4.7 |
| 2021-22 * | POR | 22 | 30 | 64.6 | 26.7 | 78.4 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 14.5 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 78 | 20 | 64.1 | 38.9 | 66.4 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 6.6 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 62 | 16 | 62.7 | 100.0 | 76.3 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 5.3 |
| Total | 310 | 16 | 61.1 | 38.3 | 73.1 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 6.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
